Centrifugal multispinning improves output and Covid protection

The advance from a team at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is said to have several applications including the development of face mask filters for coronavirus protection.

Nano-filter extends life of masks worn to avoid coronavirus

According to KAIST, nanofibres make good face mask filters because their mechanical interactions with aerosol particles give them a greater ability to capture over 90 per cent of harmful particles such as fine dust and virus-containing droplets.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the growing demand for a better kind of face mask. A polymer nanofibre-based mask filter that can more effectively block harmful particles has also been in higher demand as the pandemic continues.

'Electrospinning' has been a common process used to prepare fine and uniform polymer nanofibres, but it has several drawbacks, such as the requirement of a  high-voltage electric field and electrically conductive target.

As the name suggests, centrifugal spinning utilises centrifugal force instead of high voltage to produce polymer nanofibres and has been suggested as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to the electrospinning. Easy scalability is another advantage, as the technology only requires a rotating spinneret and a collector.